More preseason honors for Notre Dame football players

Notre Dame senior center Nick Martin and sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith were among the 123 players named Monday to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Trophy.

Smith and senior Jarrett Grace earned spots on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s best linebacker. Grace is returning from a severe leg injury suffered last season and did not participate in spring practice.

Lombardi candidates are limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage.

The preseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation’s outstanding receiver, will be announced Tuesday.

A number of ND players earned spots on the various watch lists announced last week.

Bednarik (defensive player of the year): LB Jaylon Smith, CB KeiVarae Russell.

Maxwell (player of the year): QB Everett Golson

Mackey (top tight end): TE Ben Koyack

Rimington (top center): C Nick Martin

Groza (top kicker): K Kyle Brindza

Nagurski (most outstanding defensive player): LB Jaylon Smith, CB KeiVarae Russell

Outland (top interior lineman): DL Sheldon Day